| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Roads of Destiny by O. Henry: twice or thrice upon the stairs. I questioned him, fearing that he
might dwell too near the room in which we are accustomed to meet. He
is mine, if I will. He writes poems in his garret, and I think he
dreams of me. He will do what I say. He shall take the message to the
palace."
The marquis rose from his chair and bowed. "You did not permit me to
finish my sentence, countess," he said. "I would have said: 'Your
devotion is great, but your wit and charm are infinitely greater.'"
While the conspirators were thus engaged, David was polishing some
lines addressed to his /amorette d'escalier/. He heard a timorous
knock at his door, and opened it, with a great throb, to behold her
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The White Moll by Frank L. Packard: darkness but a few feet away, was making quickly toward her. She
wrenched her automatic from her pocket. The touch of the weapon
in her hand restored her self-control.
"Don't come any nearer!" she cried out sharply. "I will fire if
you do!"
And then the man spoke.
"It's you, ain't it?" he called in guarded eagerness. "It's the
White Moll, ain't it? Thank God, it's you!"
Her extended hand with the automatic fell to her side. She had
recognized his voice. It wasn't Danglar, it wasn't one of the
gang, or the watchman who was no better than an accomplice; it was
|
